Texas @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Texas 9, Houston 5
The Texas Rangers always have a large contingent of fans on hand when they play in Houston, and they continue to make themselves at home at Minute Maid Park, where they'll aim for their seventh straight win Saturday. The Rangers rallied late to win the series opener 9-5 on Friday, giving them wins in five straight and 10 of 11 overall as they remain tied with Oakland atop the American League West. The Astros have lost three straight and seven of eight and have the worst record in the majors.
The Rangers' bats have been hot - they've averaged 6.6 runs over their past 11 contests - with Adrian Beltre leading the way, hitting .481 over a seven-game hitting streak. Texas leads the season series 8-2 and hasn't lost the Golden Boot since 2006. The Rangers have won six straight series in Houston dating to 2007.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), CSN Houston
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (9-6, 3.02 ERA) vs. Astros RH Brad Peacock (1-4, 7.25)
Holland is coming off one of his strongest outings of the year, as he held Oakland to four hits over eight scoreless frames and struck out 10 on Sunday. The 26-year-old has recorded quality starts in four of his last five outings and has racked up six or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight turns. Holland is 1-1 with a 5.50 ERA in three starts against Houston.
Peacock's third stint in the majors this season got off to a strong start last weekend, as he limited Minnesota to three runs on four hits over seven innings but was tagged with a tough-luck loss. The 25-year-old obliterated his career high with 10 strikeouts but was hurt by a pair of home runs. Peacock, who is making his ninth career big-league start, has never faced the Rangers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas OF Alex Rios, acquired Friday from the Chicago White Sox, will join the team Saturday and be available to play. Rios is batting .277 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs.
2. Houston C Jason Castro is riding a nine-game hitting streak, which matches his career high, and his 14 home runs are the most by an Astros catcher since Mitch Meluskey hit 14 in 2000.
3. The Rangers are 34-14 against AL West opponents, the best winning percentage within the division of any team in the majors.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Astros 4